Everyone has heard of The Big Issue. Wherever you go you will see sellers (known as vendors) in their red tabards, with friendly smiles, trying to make a living by selling the magazine. For nearly 30 years it has given people the chance to earn a living and beat poverty. You can have another job, say part-time, and still be a vendor for you are the one who chooses when to sell. You get training and support and are given a designated pitch where you are allowed to sell.
You will become someone who is known in the community for the right reasons, which will do much to boost your confidence. Prison can make you feel very separate from society, so doing a job like this will help you feel part of things again. To get you started you get five free copies to sell. You then have to buy the magazines for £1.50 and sell them at £3.00. You apply to become a vendor through one of the local offices. There are over 60 distribution points around the country, so the best thing would be to go on their website, find your nearest office, and then turn up and get the free coffee they offer!
On the website there is a section called 'vendors' where you can read the stories of some of the people around the country who sell the Big Issue, and see how they have turned their lives around. You may find some of the stories are similar to your own so you will know that the Big Issue is an employer who is looking to support prison leavers and won’t be judgemental. There are also advertised jobs, working for the Big Issue, if you don’t fancy being a vendor. In addition they have a section called 'Big Issue Jobs' where you can enter your CV or browse for jobs that are not to do with the magazine. You know that the employers who are advertising on their website will be far more open-minded about employing someone with a conviction.
Head Office (General Enquiries), 133–115 Fonthill Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 3HH
Telephone: 020 7526 3200
www.bigissue.com
This page was researched and written by a prison leaver.
